Talley's Folly, Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning romance, begins performances on A Contemporary Theatre's stage May 12 for a run through June 11. The play, directed by San Jose Repertory artistic director Timothy Near, opens May 18.

Talley's Folly, Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning romance, begins performances on A Contemporary Theatre's stage May 12 for a run through June 11. The play, directed by San Jose Repertory artistic director Timothy Near, opens May 18. In Folly, Young Matt Friedman finds himself back on the Talley farm in Lebanon, Missouri, uninvited, but still in love with Sally Talley, the woman he fell for the summer before. In one night, he attempts to woo her back, despite her family's disapproval, as they sit in a dilapidated old boathouse. Talley's Folly figures into Wilson's Talley trilogy, which includes Talley and Son (first known as A Tale Told) and The Fifth of July.

Michael Winters, a 20-show veteran with ACT (last in Laughter on the 23rd Floor), stars as Matt. Winters made his New York -- and Broadway -- debut as the successful Broadway playwright Guy Halperin in David Hershon's Wrong Mountain. Julia Fletcher joins him as Sally, making her ACT debut. Fletcher, who has performed several times previously with Winters, has made appearances with Seattle's Intiman, American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and San Jose Repertory Theatre. She is the founding artistic director of Los Angeles' Pacific Theatre Ensemble.

The design team includes Hedwig and the Angry Inch's James Youmans (sets), Carolyn Keim (costumes), David Lee Cuthbert (lighting) and Dominic Kramers (sound). Jeffrey K. Hanson is the stage manager.

Tickets are $42-$23. A Contemporary Theatre is located in Kreielsheimer Place at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Union Street. For reservations, call the box office at (206) 292-7676. A Contemporary Theatre is on the web at http://www.acttheatre.org.